Most grade-school workbooks try to cover the full range of topics in one workbook, and as a result do not dedicate enough pages to important mathematical concepts. Kumon's research has found, however, that children find learning easier when they tackle one skill set at a time. With these findings in mind, they designed this line of workbooks to help children with one particular mathematical skill set per book.

Kumon Workbooks teach children one specific skill from start to finish. The Kumon Method introduces concepts step-by-step, helping children to master each skill in turn as they gain confidence in their abilities and gather motivation to continue learning. Self-directed, Kumon workbooks are designed to nurture good study habits for students who need remedial or enrichment work.